米国: ニューヨーク

Sub Navigation

Breadcrumb

Discover Tokyo

Do you want to tour impressive attractions? You’re looking for the most famous shopping miles or enchanting boutiques for the perfect shopping trip? Or you’re interested in fascinating buildings of art and culture? We’ve compiled a selection for you.

Tsukiji Market

Fish market

Even though tourists are no longer allowed to take part in the popular tuna auctions, a visit to Tokyo’s fish market is still a fascinating experience. Provided they have kept to the rules and are not standing around getting in the way, visitors are allowed to visit the Tsukiji from 9am, and admire the many fish, crabs, mussels, snails and other sea dwellers, dead or alive. The gigantic tuna fish are cut up on the stands and stored in vast chest freezers. This is simply a different world – fascinating on the one hand, but on the other it also makes you think.

Shibuya Crossing

The world’s coolest crossing

Chaos would probably break out anywhere in the world – but not in Tokyo. Probably the most impressive crossing in the world, Shibuya Crossing works – even though it really shouldn't. The lights are green for all pedestrians at the same time, and they walk. On average, a million people a day. It’s madness if you’re in the middle of it, but it’s even better to sit in Starbucks nearby (21-6 Udagawa-cho, Shibuya) and look down at the crossing. It’s unlikely you’ll ever get enough of the sight.

Golden Gai

Lots of tiny bars

The narrow alleys that make up the Golden Gai quarter are just a few minutes from the Shinjuku metro station (east exit). It contains lots of tiny bars such as La Jetée that can only hold a handful of guests. It is a unique experience that brings the visitor closer to the Japanese tradition. It is unlikely that you have ever enjoyed a beer in such a cosy atmosphere before.

Tokyo Skytree

Tokyo’s icon

634 metres high and, although it was only opened in 2012, it already seems as if it has always been there. The Tokyo Skytree is the world’s tallest TV tower, and is one of the highest buildings in the world. The views are breathtaking, and stretch across Tokyo’s sea of houses to Mount Fuji. However, the views can only be admired through glass rather than unrestrictedly from the roof, as from the Mori Tower. Very popular attraction, so be sure to come early or buy your ticket online in advance.

Roppongi Hills – Mori Tower

Unique experience

At 238 metres, the Mori Tower is the heart of the Roppongi Hill complex. The smart lookout platform Tokyo City View and the Mori Art Museum, both of which are absolutely worth a visit, are on the 52nd floor. But what makes a visit to the Mori Tower truly unique is the climb onto the roof of the building. The Open Air Sky Deck offers incredible 360° views that are unencumbered by panes of glass On cold, clear winter’s days you can even see Mount Fuji. Visits are only possible in good weather; the Sky Deck is closed as soon as it gets windy or starts to rain.

Sensoji Temple

Buddhist temple

The Sensoji temple is the oldest and most important temple in Tokyo. It is situated in the traditional quarter of Asakusa and its bright colours are umissable. According to the legend, in 628 two brothers hauled a statue of the Kannon, the goddess of mercy, out of the Sumida River. Although they threw the statue back into the river, it kept coming back to them. The Sensoji temple was then purchased, and completed in 645.

Akihabara

Electronic mega city

Sega mega town, over-sized electronics stores, amusement arcades or Manga shops: Akihabara has everything, absolutely everything, that electronics fans and freaks can only dream of. The area seems to be endlessly long – as do the escalators that transport you higher and higher into the electronic worlds. It’s a day trip you will never forget – even though the time will fly by.

Asakusa

Traditional quarter

Journey back in time to Tokyo’s by-gone decades. Be it the well-known Sensoji temple that dates back to 645, the many traditional shops, a cruise down the Sumida River, the charming, slightly dilapidated Hanayashiki amusement part or the architecturally impressive Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Centre, a visit to Tokyo without seeing Asakusa would be like missing out on the Eiffel Tower in Paris or the Coliseum in Rome. The quarter is particularly well known for the annual Sanja Matsuri Festival, which takes place in the spring.

Ooedo Onsen Monogatari

Hot baths

Onsen (hot baths) are deeply rooted in Japanese culture. If it all possible, you should not miss the chance to visit these hot baths. Ooedo Onsen, a sprawling hot spring complex built in the Edo architectural style, is an experience in itself. Visitors stroll through the spa landscape in yukatas (a version of the kimono), drink tea and dine in one of the many restaurants. Even the ride here on Tokyo’s monorail is an experience, and offers very special views of the city. Little tip: Visible tattoos are not permitted in the Ooedo Onsen Monogatari.

TOKYU HANDS Shibuya Store

Wacky

A home improvement centre as a shopping tip? Most definitely! The popular DIY market has nine floors of artificial resins, brushes, polystyrene panels, adhesive tapes, wigs, masks, alien sunglasses and trays for skull-shaped ice cubes – and just about anything else you can think and have probably never seen before. The selection in the pen department is endless, and the coat hanger department alone has over 100 varieties. A genuine Tokyo fixture. There are other shops in Shinjuku, Ikebukuro and Ginza.

Takeshita Dori

Simply crazy

A visit to the Takeshita Dori is essential on any visit to Tokyo. The street begins at the Harajuku metro station, and boasts a huge “Welcome” sign that cannot be missed. To the left and right are rows of bizarre and individual shops, all full of hyped-up teens. Whether brightly coloured jewellery, bric-a-brac, clothing, stuffed animals – it has simply everything the teenage heart could possibly desire. The odd fast-food restaurant dotted about, and everyone’s happy. An absolute highlight and experience.

Oak Omotesando

Impressive

This first-class shopping centre contains the first Armani cafe complete with flagship store, labels such as Coach and three dots, and Japan’s first Nespresso boutique. However, what is most impressive is the entrance designed by contemporary artist Hiroshi Sugimoto. A kind of drawn-out drop is suspended from the ceiling, and the café with the authentic Japanese garden was also designed by Sugimoto and is definitely worth a visit.

Daikanyama T-Site

The perfect bookstore

The award-winning T-shaped complex designed by the architects Klein Dytham has everything a book-lover’s heart could desire: English books, art books, and above all innumerable editions of old, out-of-print magazines. It also has a large music department, a cafe, a restaurant and much more. Visitors to this sanctuary invariably find it hard to leave. Tsutaya T-Site Daikanyama is open until midnight.

GYRE

Special shopping experience

The multi-storey shopping centre contains the big names such as Chanel and Bulgari as well as lots of little boutiques. There are also several restaurants that are perfect for a little break. The building was designed by the Dutch architects MVRDV, and is based on an interesting concept: every floor is slightly rotated about the central axis – as the English word «gyre» implies.

Harajuku Cat Street

Street style Mecca

The narrow, curved street between Shibuya and Harajuku runs parallel to the Omotesando luxury shopping area. It is widely regarded as Tokyo’s street style Mecca. Cat Street is more like a catwalk than a road, and contains above all fashion boutiques with local and international labels, second-hand stores and ultra friendly cafés. But what is really worthwhile is the people-watching: scores of gaudily dressed fashionistas, photographers and style bloggers. Even those who are immune to fashion will find that Cat Street is a welcome, refreshing break from the hubbub of Shibuya.

Kitte

Over 70 shops

The place where Tokyo’s Central Post Office once stood is now home to the Kitte shopping centre with over 70 shops and around 30 restaurants. The shopping temple offers specialities and products from all over Japan. The roof terrace offers wonderful views of Tokyo station and the up-and-coming Marunouchi district.

Maison Martin Margiela Tokyo

Avant garde

The shop belonging to Belgian-born Martin Margiela in Ebisu is not only for lovers of avant garde fashion. The world’s first-ever Margiela store found its perfect showroom in an old labyrinthine industrial hall that once belonged to an electronics corporation. Each collection has its own room in the predominantly white premises. The entrance to the fashion temple is through the old receiving dock.

National Art Center

Special exhibitions

Unlike other art museums, the National Art Centre (NACT) does not have its own collection, but only hosts special exhibitions. The NACT was one of the last works by the famous architect Kisho Kurokawa; his building with the undulating glass facade and mushroom-like towers is worth the visit in itself. The Mori Art Museum in the famous Mori Tower and the Suntory Museum of Art which neatly form the Roppongi Art Triangle with the NACT, are conveniently close by.

Tokyo National Museum

Japanese history

The National Museum in Tokyo is the oldest museum in Japan. It is home to around 113,000 objects, which means that as well as being the oldest museum in the country, it is also the most significant in size and quality. In addition to the permanent exhibition, there are also exciting special exhibitions. There is probably no other place that transports the history, tradition and culture of Japan more authentically and more interestingly than the National Museum. Closed on Mondays.

LOCAL TIP

It’s worth visiting the MOT (Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo) just to see the exceptional architecture of the museum building. It contains works by Japanese and foreign artists. It is best to check out the website (in English) before you go. The permanent exhibition also contains works by David Hockney, Sam Francis and Andy Warhol. Be sure to visit the shop if you are looking for an unusual souvenir. The MOT is not quite in the centre, but some very charming signage starting at the Kiyosumi-shirakawa metro station makes sure that you don’t miss it.

Hama Rikyuu Onshi-Teien is probably not a secret tip because it is found in the guides, but it is certainly as popular with locals as it is with tourists. The contrast between this traditional Japanese garden and the surrounding skyscrapers is particularly exciting. Pretty much a symbol of the Japan of today. A shogun’s palace once stood here; today the park is the perfect escape from the city bustle of Tokyo. You can drink green tea and sample the delicious Japanese sweets in a tea house on the pond in the middle of the lake.

Odaiba is an island that was built entirely from rubbish. It is easy to get to Odaiba from the centre – and your efforts are rewarded by the fabulous views of Tokyo and the surrounding areas. When we visited Odaiba, we enjoyed a walk along the beach, visited the Maritime Museum with views of the huge harbour, and were amazed to learn that Tokyo has its own Statue of Liberty.